The community continues to grieve after a Thursday morning fire that killed five people in Watertown. Aaron Bodah, 38, and four of his daughters died. Merissa (14), Alexa (8), Erin (6), and Skylar (4) were unable to escape their Myrtle Avenue home. The only survivor, 13-year-old Hailey Bodah, has been released from the hospital.

The tragedy has shocked the North Country, especially children.

"You need to validate that it's okay for your kids to come home looking sad, worried, tense, and upset when a horrible tragedy happens; and to know that you'll try to keep them as safe as you possibly can,” said Dr. Alice Sterling Honig, Syracuse University professor emerita of Child Development.

Doctor Honig says it's important to be honest with your kids. They will notice a classmate's absence or other tense situations, so help them find a way to process those emotions.

"Could you write a poem about it?” Honig said. “Could you write a little paragraph about it? Could you make up a rock song or a hip-hop song about it? How can you get your feelings out? Sometimes some people do it by shoveling the ice and by doing hard physical labor, they get out some of their grief and anger."

Another way to mourn is through reading. She says find a book where you can relate to the main characters and their struggles.

"How did they deal with something that's scary or worrisome, or has got them thinking maybe something not so nice is happening and they're scared,” Honig said. “They're thinking how can we solve this? Like great explorers finding a new pathway through."

She says, despite the darkness in the world, anyone can be a catalyst for kindness and spread light throughout the community.

The Watertown School District will have counseling available next week.

There is a Go Fund Me set up to assist the Bodah Family.